May 26, 2006

Fortune – chance or luck as an arbitrary, external force affecting human affairs.

Were I living in pagan Rome many centuries ago, I might tell you that the goddess Fortuna visited me this week. I’m not so I won’t. I did experience an interesting coincidence that gave me goose bumps. My neighbor, Don agreed to help me install a replacement door for the one kicked in during our robbery. He gave me a list of materials we’d need to do the job.

I collected caulk, screws, shims, and trim. I had a store credit to pay for these things. The clerk rang up the total and told me I owed $42.16. I gave her my receipt with the store printed on it. Yes, it really was $42.16. I thought (briefly) about going across the street and picking up a few lottery tickets.

But I came home thinking about chance. If circumstances are just chance, they shouldn’t have any power. But if they aren’t chance, who gets the credit? My store credit wasn’t any answer to prayer. It was interesting coincidence. But when I looked up the word fortune in the dictionary, I was reminded of a different perspective to mine.

There are those who live in an arbitrary, capricious world. No one is in control except a god or goddess that can only be depended upon to do whatever he/she feels like at the moment.

My God loves me and has guaranteed my future through His Son. I am a part of His providence, which feels markedly different to me that luck or chance. I’ll take blessings over good luck any day. While I don’t believe that every, little detail of my life has been pre-ordained, I do believe that I have a destiny. I may either opt in or opt out. So I’m in. No flipping quarters for me. Just let me open His word.

“The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22

Be at peace,
Pastor Steve